Addressing other children before and after speaking individually to
Helen makes less of an event of your interview with her. This will avoid
kindling her feelings of self-consciousness and gratification at being a
topic of general attention. It also shows that you are not greatly
disturbed by her attitude.
Nearness and friendliness envelop the interviews in the right
atmosphere. By centering attention upon the paper, the child will see
that you are not testing her suspiciously as to obedience. You simply
want the paper.
By taking special note of Helen’s behavior you can use various ways of
showing her your real attitude toward her, which is, of course, that of
comradeship and helpfulness. If Helen senses any antagonism in her
teacher, the breach will widen and obedience will be rendered the more
difficult.
Helen may need help to see that her own will can not be safely urged
against that of society as represented by pupils and teacher. She may be
led to comprehend this matter if you carefully show her how the other
pupils fall in with school ways of doing things.
How a tactful person may avoid a clash like that between Helen and her
teacher, may be shown by the following story.